kaizenflying

I'm taking my last booked BA shorthaul today. Alitalia, LH, KLM and AF in future. No more fake full service airline with BA in Europe.

Porky Speedpig

First real experiences of BoB - probably in the FT minority but very impressed. Tea both ways on LHR MAN LHR - £2.30 for a decent very hot tea which must be 3-4x the size of the old free ones. Not a huge take up so my tea in hand in Row 8 within 10 mins of wheels up. All rows served on both sectors - 320/321 and all cleared away before TEN minutes to landing. Transaction quick using AVIOS although one crew member this morning seemed unaware of that option but quickly corrected by colleague. To be honest this IS an enhancement in my view.

BA6948

Another report on BoB, this time from Skytrax. It summarizes what is being said here especially the verdict section...

http://www.airlinequality.com/news/b...board-service/

bafan

Good for you ! Glad you enjoyed the quality. And the fact that you were paying for something that was previously free.

In the past, as far as I'm aware, if you'd wanted more tea, you only had to ask...

layz

Has anyone tried contactless yet?

Porky Speedpig

Hi Bafan - no that's not correct. There was only one very rapid pass on a Manchester shuttle sector so the tea you were served with was all you got. It was usually lukewarm and stewed.
This is a much better idea and at £2.30 the same kind of price charged in Starbucks or Costa etc.

Schiehallion

You imply we are having the wool pulled over our eyes, or are in some way failing to realize we are being conned. I'm big enough (and ugly enough, as my mother would say) to make the decision for myself.

I agree with Porky Speedpig on this one.

orbitmic

Not really. Tea at Costa is £1.75, and £1.80 at Starbucks, so the BA prices effectively 30% more expensive.

kaizenflying

LHR to Milan today. Y was about 70% full and it took the whole flight to complete the BoB. It took about 25 minutes to get past row 5. Multiple "hot" drinks at £2.30 were being returned as they were lukewarm and the crew were really proactive in trying to get fresh hot water for those complaining. Anyone sat beyond row 17 got offered BoB when the captain announced the initial descent and throughout the flight the crews were reversing back and forwards to allow passengers, including elderly people and one mum with a baby access to the rear toilet.

The crew were lovely and very professional. BA product developers may need to spend some time with EasyJet and Ryanair to see how they manage BoB so well while BA is really struggling.

subject2load

I think in pre-BoB days many of us have been presented with the familiar lukewarm tea ; and (like me) have perhaps been inclined to just accept it without bothering to reject / complain.

It's a rather different story when you're shelling out £2.30 for the privilege.

I really do sympathise with all those CC doing their very best in these circumstances. Unless one's focus is entirely on the potential commission earnings (which undoubtedly will be the driver for some), I would think the change in ET cabin 'mood' and new job responsibilities must be demotivating in many ways.

florens

Ok another BoB flight. Full A320 ZRH-LHR. At least 3 or 4 purchases per row. Got my coke only during descent passing FL200 (row 22). Payment took a bit as the iPad was not responding for a minute or so. They ran out of sandwiches and other stuff. One F/A was still securing the rear galley when we were at around 2000ft AGL. Dirty aircraft from inbound flight. Still not impressed.

elitetraveler

Interesting to hear folks who say the response is positive - BA's twitter feed still has a number of complaints






and long-haul 'enhancements' as well

orbitmic

Wow wow, careful James Barlow, you have now officially provided feedback requesting the end of free long haul catering!

henkybaby

Travelled with two colleagues from AMS to LHR and back. Outbound was full.Tthey purchased some drinks and although it took 4 tries on 2 different cards they finally got their order. They found it perfectly normal to pay for drinks by the way, but found the handling of it to be very 'clumsy' compared to LCCs.

Inbound on a half full BMI A3xx and they service went quickly and without any problems. Lots of purchases. Had a quick chat with one of the crew and their main frustration seems to be that they have to lock up and process everything before every landing. Not sure if that is true as it was the second time this crew member flew on a BoB service. Also they had their training months ago and they all felt that it was too soon, too short and not very good.

But it I would say that, as that is what I do of course.

I bought nothing as I had already emptied the bar in the lounge.

elitetraveler

Based on customer feedback... ^